Oden Adventures

Patrick has turned 40 on us! He is bravely forging the way into a new decade of life.  And for such a big turn of events, as it were, we had to celebrate in a big (for us) way!  Even though we're at a bit of an awkward time of life with two little unpredictable kids and not a lot of disposable income, sometimes we just have to celebrate the big things anyway, in whatever way we can, lest we regret it later on (or so I'm learning....)!  And so in spite of any hindrances to celebration, we love Patrick dearly and wanted him to feel that in a tangible way.

I had an epiphany as I was planning Patrick's party: my love language is details. (So, sorry, Gary Chapman, but you're going to have to rewrite your book; there are actually six.)  You can tell how much love I'm putting into something by the amount of time & attention I give to the details of it.  And, let me tell you, I had fun with these details!

I proclaimed the party theme to be Firefly, Patrick's favorite - albeit ill-fated - television show.  This was partially self-serving since it went with the special you're-turning-40-and-that's-a-big-deal gift we got him.  We gave it to him the night before his birthday...

(first, the cards)

I made this one (to look like the Firefly logo...clever, right?? :-P)

And then for the gift...

 

A Captain Mal coat (long coveted by Patrick)!

I'm posting all five of these shots because they are all so darn cute...

On Saturday, the date of his birth, we had the Firefly-themed shindig with family and friends at our place.  And here's where the fun of details really came into play for me, yet with a space/western that takes place in a Chinese/American-run universe, the details really plan themselves.

For those who will appreciate the references, the table decorations...

I loved these lanterns...

 

Because of the Western aspect, and, let's be honest, Patrick's love of meat, we got food catered 

by The Corner Butcher Shop in La Verne.

Tri-tip, ribs, macaroni & cheese, & caesar salad - and all SO good!  We highly recommend this place!  (And we had so much food, we ate leftovers for a week...and still have meat in the freezer...but we're not complaining!)

For dessert, Patrick made two kinds of ice cream, both delicious, Blueberry and Orange Sherbet (tasted like creamsicles).  I made pound cake (which Patrick loves)...

...and (mostly to amuse myself & Patrick) we had fortune cookies.

Patrick wore one of his Firefly shirts, while I tried to evoke Kaylee (sorry, not going to be a "registered companion" even if Patrick does dress like Mal), though I mostly evoked Tired Mama (especially since this was taken after the party).

Vianne obliged me by wearing this (thrift store find! $3!) Chinese dress and her cowboy hat.

She's cute but you don't want to cross her. :-D

And because I overdo it on the details and inevitably forget some, like ordering the Browncoat onesie from Etsy in time for the party, Oliver went with this ensemble instead.  

Understated, but still applicable.

Party guests enjoying the you-can't-get-better-than-this-for-an-outdoor-party weather...

Oliver (who spent the first 30 minutes of the party screaming his lungs out...:::sigh:::) made the rounds...

And then we celebrated with the Odens into the evening, with presents...

...and finished off the fête with Patrick's traditional Baskin & Robbins' ice cream cake.